Albert Pike Smith

Albert Pike Smith was called home on February 13, 2020.

Services will be Monday, February 17, 2020 at 2:00 pm in the Calvary Christian Fellowship in Shamrock, TX with Brother Joe Jernigan and Dr. G.A. Roach officiating, under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home Amarillo.

Pike was born March 12, 1930 to Tom and Jessye (Pike) Smith at 107 S. Iowa Street in Shamrock, TX.  He was the sixth child of nine, and as the first son, was given his mother’s maiden name, which he carried with great love and family pride.

At 19, he was drafted into the Army, completing basic training in Wisconsin.  He sailed on the USS General Maurice Rose to Europe, and on the way stopped at the White Cliffs of Dover to pick up a pilot.  Stationed in Wiesbaden Germany, he served in the 4th Chemical Smoke Generator Co. the mission of which was to lay smokescreens.  He had many interesting stories of the destruction from WW II with photos courtesy of a camera he purchased while there.    He separated from the Army at Fort Hood, TX in 1953 and came home to Shamrock where he married and raised two children, Dwight and Leslie. Pike worked at Puckett’s Grocery Store and later for Ashland Chemical at the carbon black plant, first in the maintenance department, then in the laboratory.  When the plant closed, Pike retired and moved to Amarillo where he worked for Braum’s, and later Wal-Mart.  Many a Shamrock friend ran into him as he stocked the paper good aisle.  After 10 years of WM duty, he retired again for good and took up a new hobby: enjoying his grandson, Alex.

Pike was a wonderful father and grandfather, and was a baptized believer who appreciated his family, his friends, and the natural beauty of this world.  He  loved butter pecan ice cream, the Tom Landry Cowboys, grilling with Woody’s BBQ Sauce, his mother’s pound cake, Waylon, Willie, and George, Law & Order reruns, his green Ford pickup, and a good back-scratch.  He endured rebounding endless basketballs with Leslie and had his share of (motorcycle) asphalt rash with Dwight.  In later years, he enjoyed teasing his Ussery-Roan Veterans Home family and flourished there.  On 2/13, the Lord said, “C’mon Pike.  The road is getting steep.  I’ll carry you now.”

He was preceded in death by his beloved mother and father, siblings Adelon, Madelon, Marita, LeeDawn, Billie, Don Thomas, and Joe Paul.

He is survived by daughter Leslie Weaver and husband Jack, son Dwight Smith, grandson Alex Weaver and wife Meagan of Dallas, sister Nan Mauldin of Albuquerque, numerous nieces and nephews, and countless friends among the residents and staff at Ussery-Roan Veterans Home.  Thank you all so much for the kindness and care you’ve shown Pike.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to Ussery-Roan Veterans Home or the Alzheimer’s Association.

One Reply to “Albert Pike Smith”

  1. Leslie and family – We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. You are in our prayers.
    James and Marlene Taylor

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